Gregg Williams, defensive coordinator for the AFC champion Tennessee Titans, wrote Summitt after reading her first book, "Reach for the Summitt." He wanted her to know he was a fan.

"She's able to make everyone around her a better person and really a better player," he said. "That's the true mark of a great coach and that is being able to effect change no matter what level they're at."

Call it a meeting of defensive minds.

Summitt's trademark in her 26-year coaching career is defense. In-your-face, man-to-man pressure. Rebounding. Starting an offense by forcing turnovers. Music to Williams' ears.

"Even when I was a high school basketball coach, everything completely transitioned off our defensive pressure. Defense wins championships," he said.

Once Summitt read Williams' note, the two started talking. They found they had more in common than coaching philosophies.

Both grew up in the country Summitt in Henrietta, Tenn., and Williams in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Both had strict fathers who expected lots of hard work and set high standards.

Both are demanding coaches who pay attention to details. Summitt laid out her 12 steps to success in her book and sets her clocks a few minutes ahead to stay on schedule. Williams keeps detailed files and sticks to a minute-by-minute schedule.

Both are intense. Summitt is known for her unblinking glare that can make freshmen try to dig holes in the floor. Williams is hoarse by the time training camp ends from yelling at players.

"Whatever it takes to effect change," Williams said. "Pat is not afraid to be extremely intense. I'm the same way."

They took different paths to coaching. Summitt's first job out of college was at Tennessee, where she has lasted 26 seasons and won six national championships. Her team is in the Final Four this weekend in Philadelphia

The 41-year-old Williams began coaching in high school. He started as an assistant at his alma mater in football and basketball. He worked his way up to graduate assistant at the University of Houston and joined the Houston Oilers in 1990 as an assistant.

Williams kept watching Summitt and Tennessee. He admired the coach who once drove the van to games and built the team into the benchmark for women's basketball.

"That's not luck," Williams said. "People study her and study what they've accomplished. People want to try to emulate that, and it doesn't really make a difference what field you're in."

So when Bud Adams moved the Oilers to Tennessee, Williams had a chance to study Summitt's coaching more closely. Then came Summitt's book, and a mutual admiration society was born.

Summitt accepted Williams' invitation and brought her coaching staff to a Titans' game last fall, a 14-11 victory over Baltimore despite Tennessee's 212 penalty yards, an NFL record.